Activities
Activities

ACTIVITIES


Hill-Walking, Hiking
The official hiking trails "GR 4" and "GR 400", plus many local “PR’s”, pass near the hotel, ensuring a large variety of itineraries. From walks of a couple of hours to hikes over a few days, you will find what you are looking for. For a small charge we can transfer your luggage to your next stop. In the hotel you can refer to maps of the area that will help you plan your walks and we are available to provide suggestions and advice. Picnic lunches are available on request. If you wish to discover the area and some hidden trails with a local guide, we can arrange this for you. Please let us know in advance. (The cost is not included in the hotel rates or packages.) We highly recommend you to take a look at the website www.cantal-walking.com  which contains lots of advice and ideas for walks.

  



Skiing
The hotel is only 2.5 km from the slopes of  Le Lioran and is easily accessed by car. During weekends and vacation periods a complimentary public shuttle bus can take you to the foot of the slopes in a few minutes.
With the first snowflakes the Super Lioran ski resort changes into a paradise for all lovers of winter sports. Downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding or snowshoe-walking and even a skating rink are available.
Le Lioran is a family friendly resort, offering all the services and equipment of a modern ski resort. Between the altitudes of 1200m and 1855m, the resort covers 1500 hectares with 60km of slopes, accessed by 24 ski and chair lifts and 1 cable car. In addition, snow canons guarantee good conditions with artificial snow on at least 10 slopes. Winter sports holidays at Super Lioran are a great alternative to skiing in the Alps! www.lelioran.com  and www.pistehors.com

Le Lioran Adventure Park
In a forested area in the centre of Le Lioran you will discover an adventure park with a difference! It consists of a series of more than 50 high-level exciting routes between the trees. You can walk over swinging bridges, cross on “bosuns’ chairs” and hang on ropes like Tarzan. There are four course grades from “suitable for children” to “no limit”. It is great fun for the whole family (for those with no fear of heights!)  www.lioran-aventure.com

Moutain biking - V.T.T. 
A mountain bike is an excellent way of discovering the hills, forests and valleys of the Cantal. Conditions for mountain biking are ideal during the summer months. VTT tracks criss-cross the Cantal, and from June until mid-September you can take the cable car from Le Lioran ski resort to the top of the "Plomb du Cantal" and cycle down into the valley.

Fishing
The reputation of the Cantal for fishing is well established in France. There are numerous mountain streams and lakes inviting the angler for categories 1 and 2 fishing. Non-experts can try their hand at trout fishing, without a fishing permit, at the "Etangs de Marfon" in Polminhac. www.cantal-peche.com

Golf   
Don’t forget your golf clubs! Take advantage of 2 magnificent golf courses that are open all year around:

  • At 35 km “Golf de la Haute Auvergne” in Sansac de Marmiesse: 18 holes, par 72
  • At 27 km “Golf de Vézac “, currently 9 holes, par 33
  • At 15 km golf practise at Vic sur Cére (during the summer).

www.lelioran.com 

LEASURES


As well as the many sporting activities, the Cantal offers numerous opportunities for learning about the culture and history of the region.
The beautiful scenery draws visitors back time and time again. The Hotel des Chazes, close to the villages of St Jacques des Blats and Le Lioran, is located in the heart of what was the largest volcano in Europe. It is, therefore, ideally situated for exploring the region. Information and itineraries for visits, as well as our advice, are available to help you to plan your day.

La Chaumière de Granière : This is situated in Niervèze, a typical Haut Auvergne hamlet (6km from the hotel). La Chaumière de Granièr is the only example in the Cantal of a ‘ferme-bloc’ in its original state, now preserved as a museum. A ferme-bloc is a single building housing the dwelling, cowshed and barn under one roof.

La Maison du Buronnier : Near the village of Laveissière, at 1050m altitude, is the buron of Belles-Aigues (2.5km from Le Lioran). The buron is a temporary dwelling on the altitude pastures that was used during the summer months. Belles-Aigues is now preserved as a museum, La Maison du Buronnier, and explains life and work in these primitive dwellings. The equipment and method of Cantal cheese making are displayed.

Murat : The splendid old town of Murat is situated15 km from the hotel. The old town centre and the museum of local animal life (Musée de la Faune) are well worth a visit. At the weekly market, on Friday mornings, farmers sell their products and local specialities. www.ville-de-murat.com

L’Oustal de la Marissou : A few kilometres from Murat, in the museum of agriculture, you can travel back in time to the beginning of the 20th century. “L’Oustal de la Marissou” in Coltines brings to life the farming activities of Auvergne. Children adore this museum even more than adults as they are able to hear the sounds of animals and touch and move the objects. www.coltines.com

Vic sur Cère : On the road to Aurillac, is the old spa resort of Vic sur Cère, with its typical stone houses (15km from the hotel). Today the casino and the pottery, “Pas de Cère”, attract visitors to this small town. Various events are held during the summer season. www.vicsurcere.com

Chateau de Pesteils : A few kilometres further, in Polminhac, the magnificent Chateau de Pesteils, is open to the public. www.chateau-pesteils-cantal.com  There is also an art exhibition, of painting and sculptures, in Chateau Vixouze on the opposite side of the valley.

Aurillac : The town of Aurillac, 32 kilometres from the Hotel des Chazes, is the birthplace of Pope Gerbert (945 - 1003 AD) and is the town of "Saint Geraud". They can both be seen in Aurillac's Waxworks Museum. A stroll amongst the lovely shops of the romantic old town centre is well worth while. On the last weekend of June an event not to be missed is ‘les Goudos Gourmands’ (the ‘festival du casse-crôute’). At the end of August Aurillac becomes one big stage for 3 days. That is when the street-theatre festival takes place, with performances at every corner and square in the town. www.iaurillac.com

Salers : A visit to the idyllic, mediaeval village of Salers is essential. It is classified as a ‘plus beau village de France’ (one of the most beautiful villages in France). The local breed of cattle, the reddish-brown ‘Salers’ cows, with lyre shaped horns are a common sight in the Cantal. Beautiful country roads lead to Salers - take the “Route des Crêtes” or drive via the Puy Mary. www.pays-de-salers.com

Romanesque art : In the late 10th and early 11th century, Romanesque art blossomed in Auvergne. With over 250 buildings, the Romanesque heritage of the region is not only unique but also the largest in Europe. Visit the “Musée de la Haute-Auvergne” in Saint Flour and the churches in Cheylade and Mauriac.  http://cantalroman.free.fr    

Landscape and Natural History : The Cantal was formed by a giant volcano, with many smaller peripheral vents. These were later fashioned by glacial action, creating the varied and verdant landscape of peaks, ridges and valleys.

The Cantal has abundant wildlife. During the summer months the hayfields and meadows are bright with flowers, much loved by the butterflies. Several species are unique to the Auvergne. Chamois, deer and mouflons frequent the forests. The bellowing of the red deer during the rut can often be heard. Birds of prey swoop over the meadows, song birds inhabit the trees and larks soar over the moors. Prat de Bouc is an excellent site for viewing many species of birds and butterflies during the migratory period. For more information on these, plus the agricultural history of the region visit www.lesarpers.com